Cummings Professor of Mathematics and Chair of Department Patti
Lock loves teaching. There’s a twinkle in her eye as she talks
about her students, work, classes, and teaching experiences. After
two decades years at St. Lawrence, she also shares her knowledge
of teaching with other professors and students both on and off campus.
“Mathematics education is my passion; my
interest in graph theory [her principal area of interest in math]
takes a back seat to my work in teaching,” explains Lock. She is co-author
and project director of the top-selling pre-calculus book and the
second most popular calculus text in the nation. “These books
have changed the way calculus is taught,” she
explains. “Working on texts while teaching the classes for which they are
written keeps my life interesting. I’m always asking myself: ‘How
can I teach this better?’”
Although she enjoys visiting different campuses to talk about math teaching,
Lock is always happy to return to her own classes. “I love the
students at SLU—they’re smart, but not in a competitive
way,” she points out. “They cooperate and push professors to go deeper
into subjects so that they understand why.” Lock tries to foster
this by encouraging students to work in groups.
Lock is a member of the Science Facilities Executive Committee,
which provides advice for the renovations of the science buildings,
and is chair of Faculty Council in 2005-2006, which connects her to
the University’s Board of Trustees. “I want
to give back to the community,” she explains of her
active role throughout campus.
